Ville Platte City Council Meeting May 11, 2021 Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine had good news for citizens who miss going to events and activities due to Covid-19 restrictions. She announced that the city will begin accepting applications to rent the Northside Civic Center beginning June 1. Statistics from the state health department continue to show a decrease in Covid-19 cases and deaths. How ever the mayor is concerned that only a small percentage of residents in Evangeline Parish have taken their Covid-19 vaccines. The latest statistic shows only 22 percent of Evangeline Parish residents have taken at least one dose of the vaccines. "This not good. We need to continue encouraging residents to get their vaccines," said Mayor Vidrine. She reminded residents that the next free vaccination date in Ville Platte will be May 20 at the Ville Platte Civic Center from 10:00am to 3;00pm for residents to get their shots. "We will continue to offer the civic center as a site as long as the state Department of Health and Hospitals will permit it," said the mayor. Police Chief Neal Lartigue reported that the city police in April responded to 825 calls, issued 21 traffic citations, 25 arrests, 14 felony arrests and worked 37 traffic accidents. The police department also is working on investigating two recent business breakins. Fire Chief Chris Soileau reported that the Ville Platte Fire Department worked 16 incidents for the month of April including two structure fires. Chief Soileau recognized two firefighters who have completed professional certifications: Bill Manuel as a fire inspector, the first one in the department and Zachary Johnson as a fire investigator. In other action the city council: --received news that the much anticipated street improvement project in the city is expected to begin in June; --approved the renewing of the sponsorship of the transportation program operated by the Evangeline Council on Aging;